Testing
The first Northrop Grumman MQ-4C broad area maritime surveillance (BAMS) aircraft is on track for rollout in the spring of 2012, with first flight that summer. The first prototype aircraft is being fitted with electronics at Northrop Grumman's factory in Palmdale, California. The wings, currently in Texas,
Testing
Schiebel has announced that it has partnered with French shipbuilder DCNS for the purpose of deploying its Camcopter S-100 Unmanned Air System onboard their new Gowind class of OPV (Offshore Patrol Vessel), L ADROIT which was launched in May. The Gowind Class L'ADROIT, previously known as Hermes,
Events
Datron Scout, a lightweight quad rotor Micro Air Vehicle (MAV) designed for air reconnaissance and surveillance in harsh environments, performed well during the maritime-based portion of the recent Empire Challenge 2011 in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. As a part of this event, Datron Scout was responsible for the silent
Testing
Despite a dismal initial operational test and evaluation (IOT&E) report about the Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk Block 30, the US Air Force reports a relatively high operational reliability rating. The USAF reports that Block 30 Global Hawks, operating from four bases for five combatant commands, are
Military
The US Army has released an RFI "to support the Army development of the MRMP acquisition strategy and to inform the collaborative Army and Navy Medium Range Maritime UAS (MRMUAS) Analysis of Alternatives (AoA)." MRMUAS is the Navy's planned follow-on to the MQ-8 Fire
Business
Image Intelligence AB has announced the appointment of three new distribution partners, spanning three continents: Nostromo Defensa in Argentina, UAVs Australia in Australia, and Elmer Group in South Africa. Imint’s unique software technology for resource efficient real-time video analysis and enhancement continues to attract global interest, and Imint’
National Associations
Former FAA Administrator and current President and CEO of the Aerospace Industries Association, Marion C. Blakey, called for accelerated implementation of FAA's Next Generation Air Transportation System and increased U.S. investment in research and development to avoid losing its leadership in aerospace and defence. "It'
Payloads
The Defense Department has awarded General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GASS) in Poway $39.8 million for continuing development of the High Energy Liquid Laser Area Defense System (HELLADS), a high-energy weapon that will eventually be incorporated into tactical aircraft and unmanned aircraft. The work will be done on behalf
Military
Exhibiting for the first time at the Paris Air Show, UVision, a small company from Israel, specializing in special purpose UAS, showed its WASP - a personal, mini UAS that has performance characteristics of a missile, with the versatility, user control and reusability of a UAS. UVision has built the WASP
Events
OAO Gorizont (Russia) and Schiebel (Austria) have joined forces to deliver an Unmanned Aircraft System in Russia based on the S-100 unmanned helicopter. One is on show at the International Maritime Defence Show IMDS 2011 in St. Petersburg, Russia, from 29 June to 3 July, and another will soon
Business
The Raytheon Company has completed deliveries of its miniature military-grade Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) transponders to Korean Air Lines as the Republic of Korea’s top air carrier develops unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The small transponders are designed to fly on UAS and smaller helicopters and deliver all
Military
The U.S. Army is participating in a U.S. Navy analysis of alternatives (AOA) to determine whether both services’ requirements for vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft can be met by a joint programme. The Army has provided an addendum to the Navy-led study “to see if